Answers · UK 2025/26
How do I check my National Insurance credits and qualifying years?
Sign in to your Personal Tax Account at gov.uk and click "Check your National Insurance record". You need 35 qualifying years for the full new State Pension and at least 10 to receive any State Pension. You can fill gaps with voluntary Class 3 NI contributions.
Full answer
To check your UK National Insurance record, sign in to your Personal Tax Account at gov.uk/personal-tax-account or use the HMRC app. The record shows your qualifying years (a year where NI was paid or credited), gaps, and a State Pension forecast. The full new State Pension requires 35 qualifying years; you need at least 10 to receive any. Years credited automatically: years you paid Class 1 NI (employee), Class 2 NI (self-employed, currently voluntary), or received certain benefits (Child Benefit for child under 12, Carer's Allowance, Jobseeker's Allowance, ESA, Universal Credit). Filling gaps: voluntary Class 3 NI at £17.45/week for 2025/26 — about £908 to buy a full year. Each year added boosts the State Pension by approximately £6.32/week = £329/year, breaking even in less than 3 years. The deadline to fill 2006–2018 tax year gaps was originally April 2025 but was extended to 5 April 2025 again — verify current rules on gov.uk. From the 6 April 2025 the standard 6-year backfill rule resumed.
Try the calculator
More answers
This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.